Rose Rosette Disease Jim Jacobi Extension Plant Pathologist Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Rose Rosette Disease • Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) is an emerging disease on roses in Alabama • In 2010, RRD was found in several locations in Tennessee Valley (Huntsville + Decatur) on Knock Out Roses • In 2011, RRD was found in the Birmingham area on Knock Out and other rose cultivars, but not widespread
Delano Park Decatur Alabama
Rose Rosette Disease Delano Park
Rose Rosette Disease Delano Park
Rose Rosette Disease Madison
Rose Rosette Disease
Rose Rosette Disease History • Rose rosette disease (RRD) was first found in California, Wyoming, and Manitoba Canada in 1941 and has emerged as one of the most devastating diseases of roses • First found on ornamental roses and Rosa woodsii, a native rose (endemic disease) • RRD found in Nebraska in 1961, Kansas in 1976, Missouri in 1978, Arkansas and Oklahoma in 1978, and Kentucky and Indiana in 1986. • By 1994, it was distributed as far east as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia
Distribution of RRD in 2002
Counties with RRD shown in red
Distribution of RRD in Alabama
Rose Rosette Disease • Viral disease of rose that is transmitted by eriophyid mite or by grafting • Common on wild multiflora rose • Most rose species and cultivars are susceptible • Infected rose plants often die within a few years • Roses are the only plants known to be susceptible to this disease
Eriophyid mite • Rose rosette is transmitted by the eriophyid mite (Phyllocoptes fructiphilus) • The mite is yellow to brown in color and 140‐170x50 microns (